Finalised Structure Plan published
The Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Planning Authority has submitted a finalised structure plan to Scottish Ministers.
The submission – which follows approval of the plan last week by Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils – marks the start of an eight-week period when representations and objections can be made to the plan.
“You'll see a deadline for objections or representations is 24 April,” says Kintore and District Community Council chairman Kenny Thomson, pointing out that KDCC has already commented on the plan, earlier in the process.
The plan has now been placed “on deposit” to allow an eight week period for any objections or representations to be lodged with them. Details of the process of submitting objections or representations are set out on the SDPA website. The closing date is 24 April 2009.Submissions must be made by the 24 April deadline and should be sent directly to the Scottish Government.
“Today’s publication marks an important milestone in the preparation of a new structure plan for the North East,” SDPA chairman Councillor Scott Cassie said. “We have gone to great lengths to carry out considerable consultation and community engagement to develop the plan and make sure it is right for this region. I truly believe in its aspirations to grow the City and Shire into a world-class place for its residents, visitors and businesses.”
Chairman of Aberdeenshire Council's Infrastructure Services Committee Peter Argyle said: "I am very pleased that the new structure plan has been submitted to Ministers and published exactly on schedule.
"Our ambition and vision for the North East are clearly described in the 27 pages of the Structure Plan document, which is designed to be flexible and able to respond to changing circumstances whilst at the same time setting a clear strategy for the next
twenty years.
"It also reflects our confidence in the North East of Scotland and our determination to focus on delivering a sustainable economic future for Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City."
The new structure plan marks a radical departure from previous documents by focusing on development needs over the next 20 years. It lays out objectives, targets, delivery mechanisms and monitoring arrangements to ensure the policies and proposals are
achieved.
Housing allowances for Aberdeenshire up to 2030 totals 36,000, comprising including 6,500 for the area from Inverurie to Blackburn.
The plan adds: “Improving bus and train services will make sure that people will be encouraged to use more environmentally friendly forms of transport. Improving access to the North East is also essential to developing a strong economy.
Key developments
The document points out that completing key developments already in the pipeline will
be vital to delivering the structure plan vision, including:
the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and other associated measures including improvements at the Bridge of Dee;
improvements to the Haudagain roundabout, a third crossing of the River Don and other associated measures;
a ring of new park-and-ride services around Aberdeen linking to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route;
replacing the Inveramsay rail bridge and further improvements to the A96;
road and rail improvements, such as Crossrail – including reducing journey times to Edinburgh, Glasgow and beyond;
putting the Aberdeen airport masterplan into practice.
What happens next?
Ministers will consider any objections and determine whether an Examination in Public (EiP) is needed. That would require a public inquiry-style hearing in front of a planning reporter, who would hear evidence from the Strategic Development Planning Authority and objectors and then report back to Ministers identifying any necessary modifications.
If no EiP is needed, Ministers will consult on any proposed modifications, consider any objections to these, and then approve the plan with or without changes. It is hoped that approval will take place before the end of 2009.
The plan, which has received a Crystal Mark from the Plain English Campaign, can be seen on the SDPA website.
Copies of the plan will be available at Kintore Library.